Souvenir by Rolf Potts is a history of what people collect to remember their travels. Potts has reported from more than sixty countries for the likes of National Geographic Traveler, the New York Times Magazine, Slate.com, Conde Nast Traveler, Outside, The Believer, The Guardian (U.K.), National Public Radio, and the Travel Channel.

Bloomsbury’s look at common objects focuses on souvenirs in this edition. Starting at a shop that specializes in Eiffel Tower souvenirs and moves to the history the things we buy “to remember.” Souvenirs have a long history starting with collecting religious artifacts in the middle ages. The Sanctuary of the Ascension build over the spot where Jesus ascended into heaven has a paved floor except for the spot where the event occurred. No one wanted to pave over the sand and dust that made contact with the Saviour’s feet. This sand and dust became souvenirs to pilgrims who would grab what they could. More enterprising people sold sand to pilgrims claiming it was from the sanctuary. Other religious relics circulated. One would feel quite lucky to have purchased the head of John the Baptist in the Holy Land until he returned home and found two other heads of John the Baptist. Religious items were the first souvenirs collected by travelers. Later it moved to exotic animals and items and then moved to collectible teaspoons and postcards, and finally Chinese made Eiffel Tower keyrings.

Potts does an excellent job of connecting the object and the desire to remember places, and even show off places one traveled too. As traveling became easier the market for souvenirs increased. And if one does not want to actually travel one can buy online the same keyring sold in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. A well-written history of something we take for granted and an industry we support on almost all our travels. ( )